Oxygen concentrators sent to India to save seafarers’ lives: ITF

Hundreds of lives will be saved thanks to two new emergency projects being funded by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust and delivered through two Indian-based seafarers’ unions.

The support from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust for oxygen concentrators and emergency supplies for affected seafarers and their families comes as India’s health system teeters on the brink of collapse in the wake of the country’s unprecedented Covid-19 outbreak.

The two grants total £215,000 GBP ($305,085 USD).

The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) will use its network of branches across the country to deliver the oxygen concentrators free of charge to seafarers and their families. The initiative is part of a wider union project to increase the number of ventilator beds in government hospitals.

A second grant from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust will fund supplies for Indian seafarers and their families who are experiencing hardship during lockdown or in periods of quarantine. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) will coordinate getting logistical support and essential goods to seafarers in locked down ports, as well as providing assistance to families who have lost loved ones to the virus.

“Last year Indian seafarers’ unions were at the forefront of getting emergency supplies and hand sanitizers to seafarers as the pandemic was just beginning,” said Katie Higginbottom, Head of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust.

“ ITF Seafarers’ Trust is proud to support unions stepping up to save as many lives as possible and reduce the hardship being faced by Indian seafarers and their families,”

General Secretary of NUSI Abdulgani Y. Serang said “People all over India, including seafarers, have been trying to source oxygen cylinders or oxygen concentrators for themselves or their loved ones so that they can battle this virus at home. The hospitals, too, need more of these machines – many patients cannot get oxygen beds and lives are being lost,” he said. “This grant will save hundreds of lives,” said Serang..

Many seafarers have tested positive, and many have died. Too many

“Many seafarers have tested positive, and many have died. Too many. We are doing our best to provide the necessary support to seafarers’ families in very challenging circumstances,” said Manoj Yadav, General Secretary of the FSUI .

Indian outbreak threatens to worsen crew change crisis

 “New restrictions targeting Indian seafarers will worsen the crew change crisis. We need systems that get Covid-negative and fully vaccinated seafarers onto ships to relieve crews who have been onboard for far too long,” said David Heindel, chair of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Seafarers’ Section.

 “Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters in India,” said Heindel.

“These substantial grants show that labour representatives are prepared to do whatever we can to reduce the impact of the virus. But the long-term solution remains universal access to vaccines for all seafarers by everyone doing their part: government, union, business; simultaneously and globally.”

National Covid outbreaks will continue to happen until the whole world has this virus under control

“National Covid outbreaks like that being seen in India right now will continue to happen until the whole world has this virus under control, worsening the crew change crisis and risking essential supply chains. No one is safe until we are all safe,” concluded Heindel